HIGHLIGHTS
- Canada is through to the Gold Medal Game after a comeback win against Finland
- Nathan MacKinnon scored the winner in the final minute of the third period
- Read on to see the clutch goal from the Avalanche star
They made every heart beat frantically across the country, but Team Canada is through to the Gold Medal Game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The reigning 4 Nations champs overcame a 2-0 deficit to prevail against Finland on Friday, with Nathan MacKinnon slotting home an epic winner in the final minute of the third period to help the Canadians secure a 3-2 victory.
Jon Cooper’s squad outshot the Finns 39-17 in this contest, and frankly, should’ve had more goals. But, Finland netminder Juuse Saros, the No. 1 for the Nashville Predators, was brilliant in between the posts. MacKinnon got the better of him, though in the end, beating Saros blocker-side.
Take a look at the goal:
An absolutely clutch one-timer from the Colorado Avalanche superstar, courtesy of a perfect cross-ice pass from none other than Connor McDavid.
It was a concerning start to this contest for Team Canada, who were down 2-0 early in the second. They quickly picked it up after allowing a shorthanded goal, however, with Sam Reinhart cutting the lead in half with his first goal of the Olympics. Veteran Shea Theodore then equalized in the third, setting the stage for MacKinnon’s brilliant finish.
Finland’s head coach did challenge a potential offside call on Macklin Celebrini prior to MacKinnon’s goal, but the goal stood. Canada has looked shaky at times throughout the quarters and semis, but their sheer talent and determination have shone through, also overcoming a deficit against Czechia on Wednesday.
Canada, which went into this tournament as the favorite to win it all, will await the winner of the USA vs Slovakia to see who they will face for gold. If they do take on the Americans, it will be a highly anticipated rematch of the 4 Nations Final last February, where the Canadians won in OT thanks to McDavid.
The final takes place at 8:10 a.m. ET on Sunday. Hopefully, Sidney Crosby will be healthy enough to return after missing the semifinals due to a lower-body injury.
